The first month and-a-half of the 2022-23 regular season for the Parkland High School girls basketball team had gone almost exactly the way it would have hoped entering the year. The Trojans won their opening five games of the season, all in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, and won 11 of the first 12 games overall. The lone loss came in a different state when they traveled to Orlando, Florida, during the holiday break.

But this past week, Parkland faced adversity for the first time in conference, and it happened in back-to-back games. Following a win at home over rival Emmaus last Friday night, the Trojans dropped their first game in conference about 15 hours later to Pocono Mountain West, also on their home floor. Then, in its latest game this past Tuesday, the Trojans suffered a one-point setback at Bethlehem Catholic.

Emmaus jumped out on top early, outscoring the Trojans 12-5 in the first quarter. But the second quarter was the deciding factor in the outcome. Parkland had a 17-6 quarter in its favor and went into the halftime locker room ahead 22-18. They kept their lead the rest of the way, on top 35-27 after three. Parkland got a balanced scoring attack with three players scoring double digits. Talia Zurinskas led all scorers with a game-high 18 points, Madison Siggins added 16 and Delaney Chilcote scored 10.

The Trojans took a 9-8 lead into the second quarter, but then found themselves behind by one, 26-25 at halftime. The third quarter saw the Panthers outscore them 17-9 to take a nine-point edge into the fourth. Parkland made it close, but PMW held on for the 49-44 win.

The Golden Hawks led 10-8 after the opening frame and then held the Trojans to just three second quarter points to go up 16-11 at halftime. Becahi kept the five-point advantage after three, leading 29-24, and then walked off the court as winners by the skin of their teeth, winning 35-34. Zurinskas and Siggins each finished with 13 points, while Chilcote added eight. That was all of the scoring for the Trojans.

Parkland is now 11-3 overall and 9-2 in the EPC. The Trojans finish off the week hosting Whitehall on Friday night and Easton on Saturday afternoon.